Lathe apparatus for cutting comb grain veneer



March 26, 1946; 'H. D. HILL 1 1 LATHE APPARATUS FOR CUTTING COMB GRAIN VENEER O riginal Filed Jan. 51, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIE. 1-H "1 1%. l-B- 751%.1-13

INVENTOR.

March 26, 1946. H. D. HILL 2,397,110

I LATHE APPARATUS FOR CUTTING COMB GRAIN VENEER I 91:1. 4-H P15. B THE. 4-0

INVENTOR- -8 m %f/9RK/ZZ 19/41.. u F jugonvs. I I

March 26, 19.46. H. D. HILL 2,397,110

LATHE APPARATUS FOR CUTTING COMB GRAIN VENEER origina l Filed Jan. 31:; 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3- INVENTOR I him/2v 0; ///LL ATTORNEYS March 26, 1946. H. D. HILL 2,397,110

LATHE APPARATUS FOR CUTTING COMB GRAIN VENEER v v Original Fil'ed Jan. 31,1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 26, 1946 LATHE AE'PARATUS FOR CUTTING COMB GRAIN VENEER Harry D. Hill, Franklin, Ind., assignor offifty per I centto Amos-Thompson Corporation, Edinburg, Ind., a corporation, and fifty per cent to Hill Bros-n Edinbnrg, I nd., a partnership Original application-January 3 1, 1941, Serial No. 376,722. Divided-and this application October 31', 1941, Serial. No. 417,240

' 8 Claims. (Cl. 144--214.)

This invention-relates to apparatus for producing what is calledneedle-point or comb. grain veneer, using a cutting knife asdistinguished from a slicing orsawing arrangement.

This application is a divisionof. the copending application, Serial No. 376,722, filed January 31, 1941; entitled, Lathe process and apparatus for forming comb grain veneer, and now Patent No. 226L497, dated November 4, 1941, and entitled, Method of processing combgrain veneer! In view of the extended explanation set forth-in the aforesaid patent and specifically made 4 a part hereof thesame is intentionally omitted from the instant application, with the -observation that the process as illustrated, described and claimedin the aforesaid patent, produces better comb grain veneer, produces the same more economically and from each unit quantity of veneer stock therecan be obtained more-veneer therefrom than has heretofore been possibleby'othe methods. I

The .chief object of.th'epresent invention is to provide apparatus or means for transforming a conventional veneer lathe, particularly of the stay log type, to a structure for utilization of the same through the medium of other instrumentalitiesso that'the method defined by, the aforesaid patent may be so accomplished.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the iollowing description and claims:

In .the drawings,.

Fig..1A.is a diagrammatic side elevationof a stay log and. quarter log flitch with veneer knife adjacent thereto, the flitch being approximately medianly mounted on the stay-log.-

Fig; 1B isa similar view with the: fiitch mounted on the staylog sothat th'ecutting face is substantially coincident with the knife approaching sideedge of the staylog;

Fig. 1C is a similar view withthe reduced fiitch similarly shifted as before to permit further reduction of the; hitch and veneer formation therefrom, but in this instance the ditch is secured to the stay log by a single row of screw bolts.

Figs. 1A to 10, inclusive, are diagrammatic representations of the shifting of the fiitch on the stay log and parallel to the flitch anchoring face thereof.

Fig. 2A is a view similar to Fig. 1A.

Fig. 2B .is a view similar to Fig. 2A but with the reduced flitch tilted on thestay. log by means of a wedge arrangement.

Fig. 2C is a similar view of the reduced fli'tch tilted to a greater degree bythe inclusion of a thicker wedge.

Figs. 2A to 2G; inclusive, are diagrammatic representations of the tiltingof the hitch upon a stay log, the flitch being medianly secured, as-it were, to thestay log.

Fig. 3A is a diagrammatic; View of a similar log ditch secured to a stay log with the knife approaching face-of the stay log in substantial-registration with the initial cutting face of the flitch';

Fig. 3B is a similar View of the reduced fiitch tilted upon the stay log by means of a wedge.

Fig. 3C is a similar view of the still further reduced flitch tilted to a greater degree by means of a still thicker Wedge.

Figs. 3A to 30, inclusive, differ from Figs. 2A to 2C, inclusive, in that the fiitch is initially posltioned on the stay log in a difierent position, tilting by wedging being disregarded in this comparison.

Fig.4A is aview similar to Fig. 1A.

Fig. 4B is a view similar to Fig. 2B.

Fig. 4C is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 13.

Fig. 4D is a view similar to Fig.- 3C. X

Figs. 4A to 4D, inclusive, are diagrammatic views of fiitch mounting including progressive shifting and tilting, the latter being by wedging.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a ditch mountedon a stay log in juxtaposition toa veneer knife and with an included spacing member'b'e tween the stay log and thefiitcli' to leave'a smaller core.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a representation of a'flit'ch, a veneer cutting knife and a stay log supporting the flitch, the flitch being secured to the stay log by means of an adjustable screw arrangement whereby the fiitch may beprogressively tilted onthe stay log.

Fig. 6A is a perspective viewof the stay log, etc., structure illustrated inFig. 6.

Fig. 7A- is a diagrammatic viewof a hitch mounted one-modified form of stay log.

Fig. 7B is a similar viewof the same staylog with the reduced fiitch; otherwise mounted on said stay log.

Fig. 8A is a diagrammatic view of a still further modified'form ofstay log with the flitch mounted thereon.

Fig. 8B-is a similar view of the ditch shown in Fig. 8A wh'en'reduced and mounted upon the opposite side of the stay log shown in Fig. 8A.

Fig. SCisa similar view with the flitch shown inFig. 813 further reducedand mounted on. an intermediate side of the. stay log.

Fig. 8D is a similar .view of the smallest fiitch ted a knife carriage.

reduction mounted on the other intermediate side of the stay log. 7

Figs. '7A'7B are representative of a shifting of the flitch to different sides of the stay log to obtain shifting of the flitch on the stay log relative to the axis of rotation of the stay log.

Figs. 8A to 8D, inclusive, are of similar character.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic section of a quarter log flitch with a scribing gauge, chalk and punch for marking purposes, and a pattern board for bolt position marking to be applied to the flitch.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view/through a modified form of stay log mounting with a quarter log flitch thereon illustrative of another method of forming comb veneer. The fiitchfis ready for initial cutting and the stay log proper thereafter is brought toward the axi of rotation as the flitch is reduced.

Fig. 11 is a side elevational viewof the adjustable stay log arrangement shown in Fig. 10.

A conventional, stay log type, of veneer lathe is one wherein the bed provides spaced apart, aligned bearings and therein is mounted the trunnion portions of the stay log structure which may take many forms. Power applied to either or both trunnion portions rotates the stay log about the trunnion axis and at a controlled speed. This speed upon initial rotation for observation purposes only is very slow compared to normal running speed. 7

Parallel to the trunnion axis is slidably mount- Thi carriage adjustably mounts a knife having a cutting edge parallel to the trunnion axis. The carriage may be moved quickly toward and away from the trunnion axis for initial positioning and after cutting has ceased, respectively. After initial positioning, the knife carriage is automatically moved toward the trunnion axis a predetermined amount or distance for each rotation of the stay log, determinable by the thickness of the veneer sheet desired.

Log flitches are first bolted to the stay log, the knifec'arriage brought up to initial cutting position and the stay log Slowly rotated. Then the automatic knife carriage feed is utilized and the knife is advanced toward the trunnion axis, the required distance during the interval following the recession of the trailing edge of the flitch from the knife to the presentation of the leading or advancing edge of the flitch to the knife edge.

Inherent in such a conventional veneer stay log type of lathe knife cutting is limited toa maximum of 180 of stay log rotation, and knife advance takes place during about 90 of the remaining rotation, usually occurring intermediate the 180 of non-cutting rotation. Many conventional veneer lat-hes of thi character have the stay log removably mounted and in the bearings there may be detachably mounted rotatable axially aligned gripping plates imilarly rotatable. Lathes so equipped also have their carriage feed mechanism arranged to continuously and progressively advance the knife edge toward the plate center so that continuous sheet cutting is effected, et cetera, all inea manner well known in th industry at thi time.

Except for the specific stay log disclosures,

more particularly hereinafter described and illustrated, the lathe of the present invention is of the aforesaid general character. Except for the specific stay log disclosures therein, the patents to Kessler No. 1,574,037, dated February 23, 1926, and Stone N 0. 1,786,460, dated December 30, 1930,

, dicated by dotted line L.

are representative disclosures of such generally conventionallathes.

It is to be understood that stay logs usually, and in the present invention as Well, include a fiitch supporting main body. portion terminating at opposite ends in crank-like cheeks or plates from.

each of which projects a trunnion, the trunnions being coaxial and oppositely directed. p

I By Way ofexample, see Figs. 10 and 11, the stay log structure includes oppositely directed, axially aligned spaced trunnions 53 and 5| supporting plates 52 and 53, respectively, in turn supporting opposite ends of the main'body portion or fiitcli sup orting portionof the stay log. Such body portion is provided adjacent each side edge of the fiitch supporting face with a spaced series of'tapped holes for receiving fiitch anchoring bolts extending into the flitch on that supporting portion. This general description applies to substantially all conventional stay logs.

Since the stay log type of veneer lat'hes is sowell known and broadly illustrated and described in said patents and similarly described herein, and since the present invention is directed to the stay log structure per se and associated mechanism other than the lathe proper, no further description or illustration of such lathe is believed desirable or necessary, and the following description and the illustration accordingly will be con fined to the stay log per se and its associated mechanisms, other than the lathe proper.

In all of Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the conventional stay log is diagrammatically illustrated and there: in 0 indicates one trunnion, X the associated crank or check portion, Y the flitch supporting main body portion, Z the anchoring bolts and W the bolt receiving openings through the stay log main body portion.

In these figures 0 corresponds to 59-5! in Figs. 10 and 11, X corresponds resi -5a therein, Y corresponds to 53 and W corresponds to 59;

Figs. 1A to 10 inclusive, illustrate the'simplest method of utilizing a conventional stay log struc ture to practice the invention set forth in the Hill patent, No. 2,261,497, before mentioned. In Fig.

1A the lathe knife K is progressively advanced during each rotation of the stay log until it has reduced the stay log supported flitch to the size in- The knife is then rapidly backed off. The reduced flitch is removed from the stay. log and repositioned as shown in Figs. 13 and the knife quickly fadvanced to the position shown in said Fig. 13. Cutting is resumed until the flitch is reduced to the size indicated by dotted line M in Fig. 1B. The foregoing procedure is repeated, see Fig. 10, until the flitch is reduced to the size indicated by dotted line N, the resultant or remainder being the core."

In Figs. 2A to 2C, inclusive, the-flitch position relative to the stay log is adjusted by interposing a wedge means R or R between the flitch and supporting face of the stay log, wedge R having alesser included angle than wedge R.

Figs. 1A to 10, inclusive, show shifting of the flitch parallel to the stay log supporting face whereas Figs. 2A to 20 show shiftingof the fiitch' Figs. 4A r041); inclusive} show fl-itchshifting by sliding jand wedging. "In the "latter 'figures the "flitch'is shown s hifted thrice instead oftwice a's' in each of the other figure groups.

*Referen'ce will now he had'to' Fig-L 5. -Herein the initial cut reduces the flitchto a size indicated by line M. The flitch is spaced frorn-the supporting'iace of the stay log by spacer S. Inclusion. or removal of such a spacer'ob'viou'slyresultsin a 'shift of fiitch position relative "to the axis of mtation or trunnion axis.

Reference now will be hadto'Fig: 9 more' particu'larly. The cleaned and properly heated quarter log flitch illustr'atedissuitably supported and stay log bolt receivin holes are spaced apart on *the"flitch=mounting face of the stay' log. 'The ""distance'thatthe pivot i2 is from-the face-upon which the block libearsisthe distance that-the 1' fiitch'mounting face "of the stay'log is off center from the axisof rotation of the stay log-and this is necessary to determine the exact position that the flitch shouldbe-secured to the stay-log in-order to determine the correct radius 'toobtain comb grain veneer-whemsta'rtingthe cutting process upon the flitch when mounted on the stay log.

* A punch 14 marks these hole locationsatdiia.

Then the gauge-ismoved toward the heart-center "edgeof the iiitch and additional marks [51) are formed in theflitchj These latter marks are so pl'acedthat the stay log "anchoring screws always will enter the flitch and hold the sameto-the-stay 10g.

'Then a" master board 1 6 is twice applied tp the punch marked'face 'of the'fiitchandholes "IT of the boardare-registered 'withholes l5a and then with holes b, the board being spacdfronithe log center'edge at'the opposite end -bfthe'flitch the exact distance it is spaced from'the log center edge bf'the-fiitchatthe arc scribed 'endor face thereof.

"The board may have'two'series of holes Bfeach aligned with ahole H. *The punch 14 marks-the flitch through all of one series and therein that closest to the unmarked face ofthe fiitch and, in most cases, only the'two'endholes closest to the "ends of the fiitchjit being found unnecessary, "usually; to'use more'th'an twoendscre'ws'of the other available series and these" are to-"prevent chattering, etcetera. *Followinghole marking,

holes usually are drilled into the flitch to the proper depth andpreferably with a power drill to expedite production.

When the precedingflitch has been cem- Dlete1y'cut, the-core thereof is'rernovedfrom the stay log by backing outthe "anchoring-screws.

The knife is moved away from the stay-'log-"rotation axis and to a position wheritwill not cut the" new flit'ch; 7 if I accidentally rotated --past the same.

' Then them'a'rked and" hole drilled'flitch is-presented'tothe anchoring facebf "the-stay 10g and is positioned so that its anchoring face is-opposite.

' the knife relative tothe' aXis'of staylog-rotation.

5 The usual hoist, cable and grips" present the flitch "toth face ofthe stay logand hold'th fiitch until when"- thfiitch drilledholes 15a" and Ilia register with the stay log holes. The bolts in thetwo e'nd holes are usually applied after the flitch' has been 5' rotated 9'O. A power-tool; preferably-,is used'for screw application and removal 'tofacilitate flitch mountingand removal.

-Aftermounting andsec'uring th flitch to the stay logso 'samewill riot-chatter in cutting,*the

fiitchis slowly rotated andthe knife'bro'ught back intocutting-position and cutting started at-slow -speed; --When' the 'veneer sheet so cut is of com- -=mercial= width and length (because the tree may -'--"not have been'of uniform diameter) ncirriialuts ti-ng s'peed is utilized.

CuttingQ- then is continued until figure begins to appearinthe' veneer. When that occurs the rotationis" stoppedIthe hoist, cable I and grips are "reapplied" to the 'fli'fch ends and then the screws are removed. "The "flitch then' is shiftecl on the face of the stay log and sim-ilarly reahchcred {thereto as at 15?). Cutting is resumed until only the'core is'left on the stay log. When this occurs, -it is" removed and a new hitch is applied, said new -"flitch having been prepared as previously de- -scrib'ed while the preceding flitch wasbeihg' out.

i If two positionings of the'flitch upon the stay log as represented by'Figs. 1A and 1B are insufii- 1 cieht to 'reducethe 'flitchto core size,-the-'-same procedure previous'hk set forth isTepe'ated and the flitchis shifted from the position shown in Figl lB --'to'-theposition' shown in Figi'lC and since the flitch-is of considerably less weight and volume, a 'single rowof bolts, as shown by the dotted" lines I in Fig. lCg -is sufficient 'to anchor this reduced -'-flit'ch to the stay log. The'reason chattering does *not occurwith'thisredueed flitchis because a stiii and rigid support is provided for the reduced flitch} the' latter being secured- ''to' the stay =log 40 substantially coincident F with "the length there- "As shown irrFig. 9 the'stay 10g; positions-on the flitch are determined by trial and error. Gauge -operatorsusually-become so skillful that little or -110 shiftihg 'ofbase ll is required. The"-i-nitial "out begins-'at' X"and"proceeds toward the heart center 01mm figure-just begins to appear in the veneer. There'uponi the flitcli is shifted on'the stay log and cutting again resumed as before- The 'foregoingi'due to'the throw of the cheek distance.

insures proper cutting'of the reduced fiitch and permits proper cutting thereofto core size.

Referencenow-"will be had toFig. 6. In this 3 figure there is illustrated a stay log LL having two arms L, one at'each end and each provided with'trunnion'O, thetrun'ni'ons being aligned and 'oppositelydire'cted and'receivable and rotatable by the veneer lathe, and a fiitch F. The previously described receding end bolts herein are re- -=placed by-ariadju'stable screw construction. The

stay-log Lli ni'ay be'rec'essed as new ahdnest "therein a plattel; the latter--'being suitably sefcllred by "th'receding ei'ld bolts 5132 to the fiitch. The'plat filll rotatably supports one end 6830'. of

being squared; or the l like, for wrench" engage- '-ment. Herein the opening W35 through 'thestay logis threaded and' the body'portion of the "screw 683- -is- 'similarly threaded. In this formof the ""inve ntionth flitch'is initially mounted uponthe staylog with the plat'tt l nested inthe aperture tilt: andthe advancedlongitudinalseries ot'screws 6Mb rigi'cl1y'--h*bld'*or-secure the ilitch'to the stay *log. Cutting is initiated and continued. 'uhtil fig- V 6061) are loosened, and the screws 603 are turned to advance the screws 602 relative to the stay log LL, that 'is, moves the plate 6M and screw E02 farther from the rotational center of stay log whence the flitch is tilted relative to the stay log fiat face confronting the flitch.

This results in tilting or tipping the flitch F in the advanced direction in much the same manner as the addition of the wedges previously-described tilts the stay log. The advanced series of screws 89% then are retightened and cutting resumed until figure again just begins to appear. The advanced series ofscrews 60Gb are again loosened, the adjusting screws 603 are again advanced to secure further tilting of the flitch on the stay log, and then the advanced series of screws 60% are retightened and cutting resumed. This operationmay be repeated as often as desired or required, it being, of course, understood that cutting is always continued until figure just begins to appear.-

Reference now will be had to Figs. 7A and 7B. In this form of the invention the stay log is indicated by the numeral 899 and it includes one wide flitch supporting face Gill and the narrower flitch supporting face 852. It also includes spaced openings therethrough as indicated at 8133 and 804. The flitch 885 of quarter log character is,

first, applied to the narrower face'of the stay 'log and secured by the longer screws Bill, the same 7 reference to the form of the invention shownv in.

Figs. and 11. .I-Ier'ein heart center C in Fig. TBis closer to the axis of rotation 0 than in Fig. 7A.

Reference now will be had to Figs. 8A to 8D, inclusive. In this form of the invention the stay log 99!] is of irregular outline and includes the widest face 90 l the second widest face 902,.a narrower face 963 and the narrowest face 904. The

' Gated generally by the numeral 6|, is provided between each cross head and its slide support,

and associated with the exposed portions thereof is an overhead wrench structure.

Herein said wrench structure includes an elongated frame-like member 10 which is tubular and includes apertured ears H for connection toa cable or chain arrangement 12 for support overhead. The tubular portion 70 includes two-parallel tubular extensions at right angles to theportion 10 and indicated; by the numeral '13.

Handles 14 may be provided and extend beyond rangements. One of the shafts 18 is extended as at 80 and abrace structure 8! is adapted to rotate that shaft 18 which in turn rotates the shaft 75 in turn rotating the other shaft 18. These two shafts 18, when the entire wrench arrangement is lowered and held down by the handle E4 in contact with the exposed portions of the members BI, cause rotation of the members 6! to advance or retract the cross heads in the slideways and simultaneously and to the same degree depending upon the direction of m tation of the brace 3 I. Thus, insofar as the center of rotation of the members andv 5| are concerned or the axis of rotation of thestay log structure, the stay log structure proper may be advanced from or retracted toward the center of rotation, as before mentioned.

As shown in Fig. 10, the flitch is secured on the stay log, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The stay log is projected forwardly as farv as possible or desirable relative to the knife K so that initial readjustment also is effected as required. Then flitch is successively secured to these faces, as illustrated in the four figures, and cutting isef-1 fected in each case until figure appears, whereupon the flitch is. removed and transferred to the next widest face and cutting is resumed. The flitch on the widest face is out until figure appears. the flitch heart center is brought closer to the center of rotation with each flitch position change. 1

Reference now will be had'to Figs. 10 and 11, in which the numeral 5!) indicates one rotatable element and 5! an opposed element, the same being carried by the lathe proper and the two being in alignment and powerrotatable. Each terminates in a confronting plate arrangement 52 and 53, respectively, and each confronting plate arrangement is provided with a slide. slidably supporting a cross head, the two cross heads being designated by the numerals 54 and 55. 1

Rigid with each cross head is the flange 56 at the adjacent end of the stay log having the main body portion 51 and the fiitchsupporting face portion 58, the latter being wider than the portion 51 and being apertured as at 59 to permit the passage of screw 60 for anchoring the flitch t0 the stay log. A threaded arrangement indi Then the core is discarded. In each case;

cutting is resumed. This is repeated as often as required until finally only the core remains on the stay'log. This is the equivalent ofshifting the flitch on the stay log positioning closer well as others which will readily suggest 'them- I selves to persons skilled in this art, all are considered to be within the broad scope'of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims. 5

The invention claimed is: 7

1. A rotatable stay log structure including pair of arms and a flitch supporting portion therebetween and supported thereby and having a flitch supporting face eccentric of the pivotal axis of the arms, spacing means operatively associated with the supporting portion for tilting a hitch face relative to the eccentric face for tiltable support of a flitch upon thestay. log,

and screw means for operatively securing the flitch to the stay log.

, 2. A rotatable stay log structure including a pair of arms and a flitch supporting portion therebetween and supported thereby and having a flitch supporting face eccentric of the pivotal axis of the arms, spacing means operatively associated. with the supporting portion for tilting a flitch face relative to the eccentric face for tiltable support of a flitch upon the stay log, and screw means for operatively securing the flitch to the stay log, said spacing means comprising bearing plate means for flitch connection, and other screw means for adjusting the plate means relative to the intermediate portion of the stay log for flitch position adjustment.

3. A stay log structure as defined by claim 1 wherein the screw means are arranged in a substantially. longitudinal series parallel to the stay log axis of rotation and which extends completely through the stay log and into the flitch, a second parallel series of screws for flitch connection, the flitch center being closest to the first mentioned series of screws.

4. A stay log structure as defined by claim 2 wherein the first mentioned screw means are arranged in a substantially longitudinal series parallel to the stay log axis of rotation and which extends completely through the stay log and into the flitch and a third and parallel series of screws which extends through the plate means and into the flitch.

5. A stay log structure as defined by claim 2 wherein the first mentioned screw means are arranged in a substantially longitudinal series parallel to the stay log axis of rotation and which extends completely through the stay log and into the flitch and a third and parallel series of screws.

which extends through the plate means and into the hitch, the first mentioned series being positioned closest to the advancing edge of the stay log and the third series being positioned with the plate means closest to the receding or trailing edge of the stay log.

6. A stay log structure as defined by claim 2 wherein the flitch confronting face of the intermediate portion of the stay log is recessed for plate means nesting, the flitch confronting face of said plate means when nested being substanwherein the flitch confronting face of the inter-- mediate portion of the stay log is recessed for plate means nesting, the flitch confronting face of said plate means when nested being substantially coplanar with the stay log flitch confronting face, and the first mentioned screw means are arranged in a substantially longitudinal series parallel to the stay log axis of rotation and which extends completely through the stay log and into the flitch and a third series of screws which extends through the plate means and into the flitch.

8. A stay log structure as defined by claim 2 wherein the flitch confronting face of the intermediate portion of the stay log is recessed for plate means nesting, the flitch confronting face of said plate means when nested being substantially coplanar with the stay log flitch confronting face, and the first mentioned screw means are arranged in a substantially longitudinal series parallel to the stay log axis of rotation and which extends completely through the stay 10g and into the ditch and a third series of screws which extends through the plate means and into the flitch, the first mentioned series being positioned closest to the advancing edge of the stay log and the third series being positioned with the plate means closest to the receding or trailing edge of the stay log.

HARRY D. HILL. 

